How the Water Got In
Most callers knew they had water damage but had no idea how bad it was. Some had up to 10 inches of water sitting in the basement. The water came in every way it could: floor drains backing up, surface water running off the street, window wells filling and spilling over, and leaks working their way down from the ceiling. Some homes had pipes burst on top of all that.
The calls came from all over the GTA, and our crews were spread across the city trying to reach everyone. One pattern stood out. Several calls came from the same part of Richmond Hill, which made us suspect a drainage problem in that area rather than bad luck on individual houses. This is the kind of storm we see about once a year, and the homes that were not prepared for it felt it.
What We Had to Remove
Wet drywall and carpet were the most common tear-outs, and a lot of walls had to be cut out and redone. Water that backs up through a floor drain can carry sewage, which changes what can be saved. Our sewage cleanup page explains why.
How long a job took depended entirely on how bad it was. Some basements were dried out and finished in one to two days. Others have taken weeks, and we are still working through them.
The Mistake We Keep Seeing: Waiting
Two weeks after the storm, we are still getting calls from homeowners who are only now dealing with the damage. The longer water sits, the worse it gets. Mold can start forming within 24 to 48 hours, and what would have been a quick dry-out turns into a mold job.
If your basement took water on September 2 and it has not been looked at, do not wait any longer. If you are already seeing or smelling mold, our mold removal page covers what happens next.
How Insurance Played Out
Most of the homeowners we saw had insurance, and many had sewer backup coverage. We dealt with the adjusters directly, so homeowners were not paying out of pocket beyond their deductible. A few insurers assigned their own contractors, and in those cases we made sure the homeowner went in that direction. Our insurance claims support page covers how the process works.
Because the storm put so many people under stress at once, we gave a lot of estimates and assessments for free. We would rather be there for people during a storm like this than take advantage of it.
“Great experience with Restoration Professional. The team was professional, reliable, and did an excellent job. They were on time, kept the work area clean, and explained everything clearly. I’m very happy with the results and would definitely recommend them.”